Money will come, Vic premier says after Games snub
Alex Mitchell |
Victoria remains confident funding will come to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games despite being snubbed in the federal budget.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers instead announced $3.4 billion across 10 years for the 2032 Olympic Games in Queensland, supporting venue infrastructure including $2.5 billion to develop Brisbane Arena.
To be shared across a number of regional centres, the 2026 Commonwealth Games will cost Victoria about $2.6 billion.
Reports have suggested Premier Daniel Andrews is hoping for a 50-50 split with the federal government after being neglected in infrastructure spending under the former coalition government.
He remained confident on Wednesday morning more money would come, while also acknowledging 10 years of under-investment by the previous federal government.
“No one budget can deal with nearly a decade’s worth of problems, but it was a positive step,” he said.
He said the state government would wait 90 days for the outcome of an infrastructure review for key pipeline projects including airport rail, but wanted to see the state get a better share of GST revenue.
Premier Chris Minns said NSW would continue to ask for more access to the federal government’s deeper resources, including to deal with infrastructure blowouts.
He expected the Albanese government to honour its commitment to building a driverless-train line to the Western Sydney Airport, he said.
But the revocation of federal funds for the $1.3 billion Dungowan Dam project in Barnaby Joyce’s electorate also meant the end of NSW government support.
“Most projects like this need a BCR (benefit cost ratio) of 1:1 … the BCR for Dungowan Dam is 0.09,” he told parliament.
WA Premier Mark McGowan applauded the new Medicare bulk-billing incentives, saying it would help redirect people to GPs instead of hospitals.
“What we find is a lot of people are going to emergency departments when they should be going to a GP,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“The emergency departments are free, they don’t go to GPs because there’s a limited amount of bulk-billing across the community.”
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the federal government’s plan to invest $2 billion in hydrogen energy underscored confidence in the technology.
“It is clear hydrogen is going to be an integral part of the world’s future energy needs and this represents an incredible opportunity for SA,” he said from Germany on Wednesday.
SA plans to build a hydrogen power plant, electrolyser and storage facility in Whyalla.
Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick welcomed federal support for the Borumba Dam pumped hydro scheme and more investment in Queensland’s renewable energy program.
The Northern Territory will get $250 million to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, which Labor Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said helped address inadequate funding under the former Morrison government.
“The Territory always does better under Labor and today this has been proven,” she said.
AAP
